Go-ahead for Shell to use ‘Island Constructor’ on Draugen

Oil giant Shell has received consent from the Norwegian offshore safety regulator, the Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA), for the use of Island Constructor vessel for the start-up of a well offshore Norway.

The well, designated as 6407/9-G-5, is located on the Shell-operated Draugen field, which is an oil field in the Norwegian Sea in 250 meters of water. The field has been developed using a fixed concrete platform with an integrated deck. Stabilized oil is stored in tanks in the base of the platform.

According to the regulator’s update on Wednesday, planned start-up is August/September 2017.

The 2008-built Island Constructor was designed for well intervention. The vessel is operated by Island Offshore Management and it received Acknowledgement of Compliance (AoC) in September 2010.

When Draugen started production in 1993, the field had an estimated life of between 17 and 20 years and an estimated recovery rate of under 40%. Draugen has since more than doubled its recoverable reserves, increased production, and is now one of the Norwegian fields with the highest recovery rate of around 70%.